Leyland Daf Sherpa 200 1974 - 1982

Leyland Daf Sherpa 200 1974 - 1982

Braking system: AP Lockheed

In 1974, the Leyland Van was introduced. It was offered as a panel van, minibus, minicoach, and a chassis for various body types. The smallest panel van version had a load volume of 5.4 m³. The lead engineer, Stan Dews, initially wanted to market it simply as the 'Leyland Van', but this confused customers. Consequently, just six months after its launch, it was renamed the Leyland Sherpa. At the start of its development, BLMC's market share in the light commercial vehicle sector had fallen to around 7 percent, which led to a strong emphasis on low manufacturing and development costs. As a result, the Sherpa utilized the floor assembly and axles from the Austin-Morris 250 JU, and the side panels, tailgate, and roof from the Austin-Morris J4. For propulsion, it used the 'Series B' petrol engines with 1622 cc and 1798 cc displacement, as found in the Morris Marina, along with a more powerful 1.8-litre version of the old 1.5-litre B-Series diesel engine, all paired with a manual gearbox. A four-speed manual gearbox from the Austin 3-Litre C-Series was available, optionally with overdrive. Other parts borrowed from models within the corporation included the heater and dashboard from the Marina, the door handles from the Morris Mini, and the steering wheel from the Austin 2200.

The new model was designed to be narrower than its competitors, the Ford Transit and Bedford Blitz, to make it easier to maneuver in tight alleyways. Furthermore, a short bonnet was intended to offer better protection in frontal collisions, reduce maintenance costs, and improve the adjustability of the seating position. Therefore, the engines were mounted ahead of the seats, with the seats positioned behind the front axle. Following its introduction, BLMC's market share increased rapidly, leading to an increased development budget. This resulted in the introduction of new 1.7-litre and 2.0-litre O-Series engines in 1978, as well as reinforced body structures. From 1978 onwards, it was also marketed as the Austin-Morris Sherpa, and from 1982, it became the Freight Rover Sherpa.